Saturday 20th April has been the nicest day so far this year. Hitting temperatures more reminiscent of a summer's day in July, clear blue skies and a warm, gentle southeasterly breeze - perfect Spring weather!
With this in mind, I headed off early this morning to Wareham Forest with Dave Helliar, on what has become an annual pilgrimage to see and hear some of our our spring migrants, hopefully see a few reptiles and add to the butterfly year list too.
Shortly after we arrived, we both picked up on a 'pale lump' sitting on the short turf about 15 meters away. Raising our bins, we found it to be a Woodlark. It showed extremely well for a few minutes and was a great way to start the morning. I think these are the best views I've ever had!
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| Woodlark, Dorset |
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| Woodlark, Dorset |
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| Woodlark, Dorset |
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| Woodlark, Dorset: D. Helliar |
This individual was soon followed by several other flyovers and eventually a singing bird - the epitome of Spring on the Dorset Heaths and definitely one of my favourite songs. Another classic heathland species is Dartford Warbler. We managed about 4 birds but this is fewer than other other years. We struggled last Spring too - perhaps 'The Beast from the East' took its toll on them last March?
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| Dartford Warbler, Dorset |
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Dorset sandy heaths are one of my favourite habitats
in the UK. |
There were good numbers of Stonechat and Meadow Pipit, at least two Cuckoo seen and heard and a ring-tail Hen Harrier was a highlight.
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| Stonechat,one of many seen scattered across the heath. |
Another bird we always hope for (but don't always see) are Tree Pipits. Initially a little concerned that we hadn't heard any, our fears were soon dispelled as not one, but about half-a-dozen were heard and seen in quick succession close to one another.
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Tree Pipit - 5 or 6 of these seen
some performing their parachute display flight. |
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| Tree Pipit, Dorset: D. Helliar |
Surprisingly only a handful of Slow Worm Anguis fragilis and Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara were the only reptiles seen, despite temperatures climbing to a very respectable level by mid-morning.
We headed back to the car and switched locations where we soon found a pair of Sand Lizards
Lacerta agilis, but that was our lot for the day and we didn't add any further to the day's reptile tally.
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| Sand Lizard, male - Dorset |
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| Sand Lizard, female - Dorset |
As for butterflies - much slower than expected but Peacock, Orange-tip, Speckled Wood and Brimstone made it onto the list....just. Good numbers of the day-flying Common Heath moth were also noted along with a single Green Tiger Beetle.
The journey home added a Green Sandpiper, which was hanging out on a flooded field towards Dorchester. Not a bad morning out by any standards but I'll have to go back, there's still some unfinished business on the reptile front.
